The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-04-16
A PETTY SWINDLER.
An Alleged Indianian with a Smooth Tongue
Defrauds Atlanta People

Defrauds Atlanta People
Atlanta Constitution.
Several members of the Fifth Baptist Church.
some of whom merchants on Decatur street.
are now humping themselves with Indian clubs
because they have fallen an easy victim to man
who used his church mbership to work them
for few dollars.
The man who victimized tho Atlantians is
registered on the church rolls as A. N. Hale.
Several months ago Hale came to Atlanta and
secured board in a private family. He was
man of forty five years of age, dressed WELL pre-
sented a good appearance and made a favorable
impression with all who met him. He came South
to make his home and in q short time secured
work in one Of Atlanta's factories. OF his life
in Atlanta up to few weeks ago nothing scarce
ly is known About month ago, however, he
secured board at Mrs. Buffers, on Court
land avenue and began attending the
Fifth Baptist Church. Soon after entering the
church the first time Hale became greatly
impressed. and making profession of religion
Joined the church. He quickly became an active
member, and in addition to joining in the song
service. led in prayer frequently. and took
charge of Sunday school class His general
good appearance, together with an oily tongue,
always ready to move quickly. made him one of
the leading members. He was always ready to
talk, and never to his feet without con-
vncing all who heard him that he was thorough
ly in earnest and that he was devout Chris
tian. On Friday night last there WAS meeting
at the church, and Hale was present During
the evening those present gave an account Of
their work. and when Hale secured the attention
of the congregation he grew happy and shouted.
He detailed how he felt. and finally became so
happy that he began shaking hands with the
members, telling them how near perfect happi-
ness he possessed.
On Saturday afternoon, when Hales days
work was done. he approached the cashier in
Pecks mill, on CORTLAND avenue, where he was
working, and. telling that gentleman that he
was going to Conyers to spend Sunday, asked
for an advance OF some money. The cashier
esave him a weeks work and one dollar over,
and Hale walked away smiling Later In the
evening he returned to his boarding house, and
approaching Mr.. John Butler. said:
Mr.. Butler, ordered suit of clothes up
town. and expected that they would be ready
next week. They are ready now, but want
eleven dollars to get them. l have the money.
but it is locked up in Mr.. Peck's safe, and I
can't get it till Monday. Can you let me have
it!'
Mr.. Butler knew the man as a member of the
church, and had every confidence in him. He
| put his hand in his pocket. and pulling out a
twenty dollar bill. handed it to Hale, saying:
This is the smallest l have, but you can
bring me the change back"
Hale took the twenty. and in a short time
] found his way into Mr.. Tom Buchanan's store
on Decatur street Mr. Buchanan attends the
Fifth Baptist Church, and had heard Hale in
| the church. He greeted the man pleasantly, and
| after hearty hand-shake. heard Hale say:
| Brother Buchanan need eight dollars be-
fore go home. have the money there. but
| want eight dollars now. nave three ana would
| like to get a five till Monday"
Mr.. Buchanan, like every body else had con
| fdence in Hale, and walking to the money
| drawer handed him over five.
| Below Mr.. Buchanans place is MIR. Langford
| who attends the same church, and of him Hale
| next secured one dollar and a half.
Mr.. Virgil NorcroSs Is the pastor Of the church
and he, too, had formed good opinion of Hale
! So good. in fact, was that opinion that when
| Hale asked him to lend him five dollars, Mr.
! Norcross said:
Brother Hale, havn't as much as a five, bu
here are three
Hale took the money, but the next morning be
did not appear in church. neither did he instruct
his Sunday school class in the Mission Sunday
school, His absence did not attract any particu
lar attention. however, until later in the day
when it became known that he had not been a
his boarding house since Saturday night. Soo1
| his money borrowing became known and wher
some notes were compared a cloud of suspicion
arose. Monday Hale failed to materialize an(
| that afternoon the matter reported to tn,
detectives. When the detectives began lookin,
into the matter they ascertained that Hale hat
been paying attention to a lady living near Con
yers. They at once suspected that he had gon
TO Conyers, and to prevent him from imposin,
further on the people, the Conyers officers wer
nothed. but so far nothing has been heard o
Hale. In their Investigations the detectives as
certained that Hale came to Atlanta from Evans
WILL Ind. He for a while in the Soldiers
Home, at Dayton, o. Hale is about five fee,
five or six inches tall. will weigh l25 pounds ha
a dark complexion, dark hair and a thin, dar
mustache. His hair and mustache are tinge
with grey. He Is about forty or forty five year
of age.